From 2003, Theatre Royal Bath hosted the Peter Hall Company for a residency every summer until 2011.

Since then it has staged five summer seasons overseen by the venue’s director, Danny Moar.

Incoming director Church, who recently stepped down as artistic director of Chichester Festival Theatre, said he wanted to build on the reputation of Hall’s “tremendous” productions for the theatre.

Hailing the venue as “one of my favourite theatres in the country”, he went on: “I was privileged to see a great deal of Peter Hall’s work at Bath which defined the breadth and ambition of Bath’s summer season. I look forward to building on that tremendous legacy over the coming years.”

Church and Moar have collaborated a number of times in recent years, on shows including Another Country, The Judas Kiss and Hobson’s Choice – which Church directed.

Welcoming Church’s appointment, Moar branded Church “one of the country’s top directors and producers”, and claimed he was “a worthy successor to Peter Hall”.

“Jonathan’s extraordinary achievements at the Chichester Festival Theatre speak for themselves,” he said.

Moar added: “He delivered unparalleled artistic and commercial success, making the venue a destination for the country’s leading creative talent.”

Church’s first season will take place over the summer months next year.